Results 21-40 of 387 for speaker:Joe Flaherty in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (11 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: It is very evident that Housing for All is not a one-trick pony; it is multidimensional and will result in the building of new houses. Through Croí Cónaithe and the repair-and-lease schemes, we will bring derelict properties back into stock. Could the Minister of State comment on the initiatives under way to bring vacant properties back into stock?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (11 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I thank the Minister of State. If I am not mistaken, that was his first reply to a parliamentary question. I hope there will be some windfall for Longford as a result. I will send through the representations straight away afterwards. It goes without saying that Croí Cónaithe is one of the genuine successes of the programme for Government. We are seeing its benefits right...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (11 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The figures for Longford are very impressive. We have had 124 applications under the Croí Cónaithe scheme. In addition to that scheme, I would like to see a greater emphasis on the repair-and-lease scheme in rural areas. There is still significant low-hanging fruit if we can revisit that scheme and tweak it, specifically for provincial towns. We are seeing some improvements in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and wish him well in his role. I acknowledge the courtesy, time and effort given to us by the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, while he was in the role. Deputy Dillon has big shoes to fill. Is the Minister confident that all the key housing indicators are continuing on a positive trajectory? Will he refer specifically to the continuing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: It is evident that Housing for All is working. I acknowledge the work of the Minister, Ministers of State and officials in the Department, as well as the hard-working teams in local authorities right across the country. It would be remiss of me not to mention the team in County Longford. In the first six months of this year, the council will successfully tenant 82 new properties and, in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (11 Apr 2024)

Joe Flaherty: It is a truly extraordinary achievement, considering where we have come from, that we are on the cusp of breaching delivery of 34,000 houses this year. If we were to believe some in the Opposition, there is no building going on anywhere in the country. Yet, driving into Dublin, one sees cranes everywhere. In every provincial town in Ireland, there is large-scale house-building under way. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products (5 Mar 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I want to discuss a rare and uniquely Irish disease. Hereditary ATTR amyloidosis is a genetic condition. The disease was brought to my attention by a lady who lives in County Longford. There are several manifestations of this amyloidosis worldwide, but it includes a specific Irish variant that originates in north-west County Donegal. The condition is known locally as Donegal Amy. While...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Medicinal Products (5 Mar 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I think we will all agree that it was well worth waiting until 10.15 p.m. tonight for that good news. After that good news I almost feel I should move constituency to Donegal. There is at least 1% of the Donegal population who will probably view that as better news than Jim McGuinness returning as team manager. It is excellent news and I applaud the Minister of State for her work on this...

Recent Arson Attacks: Statements (27 Feb 2024)

Joe Flaherty: At the outset, I wish to state that the spate of burning buildings nationwide in response to plans to use these buildings for emergency accommodation, or even the mere suggestion or rumours suggesting that they will be used for emergency accommodation, is repulsive and reprehensible. I say this as a TD who grew up in a village where criminals attempted to burn one such building. There is no...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Feb 2024)

Joe Flaherty: The Tánaiste will be aware that a verdict of medical misadventure was recorded at the inquest into the death of young Bryonny Sainsbury who suffered a catalogue of failures while being treated at Mullingar hospital. At the two-day inquest the family heard harrowing details of how their daughter died. A combination of failures and shortcomings in her care led to a death that was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Vacant Properties (15 Feb 2024)

Joe Flaherty: 109. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of vacant social homes returned to active use in Longford from 2020 to 2023; his expectations for same in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6669/24]

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (14 Feb 2024)

Joe Flaherty: I welcome the THRIVE programme, which was announced by our colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, earlier this month. It offers regional and rural towns an opportunity to refurbish historic buildings up to a value of €7 million. It is a great opportunity for a town such as Longford to regenerate Connolly Barracks. The local authority is already looking at submitting...

An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An Teaghlach), 2023: An Dara Céim - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I support the Bill, the purpose of which is to amend Article 41.1.1°. The later Bill, which I also support, will delete Article 41.2 and replace it with a new Article 42B. The Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality published its final report in June 2021. It made a total of 45 recommendations across a range of topics. Arising from these deliberations, the Government has proposed...

Planning and Development Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Dec 2023)

Joe Flaherty: The last couple of times I was in here, I went off subject but the Ceann Comhairle will be delighted to hear that I will stay on subject this evening. Unusually, I find myself agreeing with Deputy Ó Snodaigh on one point. I would like to bring to the Minister of State's attention the issue of trees, which is not entirely related to planning. We saw during the recent storm that Ash...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Nov 2023)

Joe Flaherty: It is very hard to follow my Government colleague from Kildare.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Nov 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I will try to stick reasonably to the point. Like the Deputy from Mayo, we have a lot of those people coming into our constituency offices. They are starting to see change in relation to property and getting their first home. Specifically in rural Ireland, we have seen that with the Croí Cónaithe scheme. I am sure the Deputy is getting as many inquiries as we are. We have also...

Science Week: Statements (16 Nov 2023)

Joe Flaherty: It is with great enthusiasm and pride we celebrate Science Week. It is a time dedicated to recognising the invaluable contributions of science and technology to our society. It is important that we take this opportunity and use it as a platform to reflect on the significant progress we have made and the strides we still need to make to ensure a brighter, more innovative future for our...

Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 (Bill 54 of 2023): Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2023)

Joe Flaherty: I am concluding.

Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 (Bill 54 of 2023): Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2023)

Joe Flaherty: It is important that we get this information. I ask the Minister to make contact with the hospital and try to get the report before 30 November.

Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 (Bill 54 of 2023): Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2023)

Joe Flaherty: A key commitment of the programme for Government was to establish exclusion zones around medical facilities. The Minister subsequently legislated for the designation of safe access loans around our healthcare premises. We are well aware that there has been extensive co-operation and consultation with the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of...